Konami has officially confirmed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month, marking the end of the game's availability on Apple Arcade. The service will first remove the game from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, after which the title will become completely inaccessible on September 3, meaning players will no longer be able to launch or play it. In a statement posted on the company's website, Konami reflected on the game's history and expressed appreciation for its community. "Since its debut on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players," the announcement read.
"However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The developer went on to thank its audience, stating, "We would like to express our gratitude to all of our players for their enthusiastic support throughout the years. The entire development and operations team sincerely thanks you for being part of this journey." Grimoire of Souls originally launched in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play title for iOS and Android devices, initially rolling out only in Canada. After a brief lifespan, the original version was discontinued a year later.
Konami later revived the game as a premium, subscription‑free offering on Apple Arcade, expanding its reach to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms. When the game returned under the Apple Arcade banner, Konami made several significant changes. The in‑game currency system and associated microtransactions were stripped out, creating a more streamlined experience focused purely on gameplay.
The user interface received a redesign, and visual assets were upgraded to take advantage of the higher resolution displays available on newer Apple hardware. These updates were intended to give both new and returning players a fresh, polished version of the Castlevania spin‑off.
The decision to shut down Grimoire of Souls comes as part of a broader trend of titles being retired from online services. Konami noted that the game is among a handful of experiences slated for discontinuation in the coming months.
For example, the mobile racing game Mario Kart Tour is set to end its service in September, followed by the animated‑themed shooter Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem, which will close in October. The list continues with Destruction AllStars, a vehicular combat game that will cease operations in November. While the removal of a game can be disappointing for dedicated fans, it is not an uncommon practice in the mobile and subscription‑based gaming industry. Services that rely on continuous server support, regular updates, and ongoing licensing agreements often reassess the viability of each title based on player engagement, revenue, and strategic focus.
When a game no longer meets the necessary thresholds, publishers may choose to allocate resources elsewhere, leading to delistings and eventual shutdowns. For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, Konami recommends finishing any ongoing activities before the September 3 deadline, as progress will not be saved after the servers go offline. Because the game was a fully online experience—requiring server authentication for even single‑player sessions—there is no offline mode that can be preserved after the shutdown.
Players who wish to retain memories of the game can capture screenshots, record gameplay footage, or keep any personal notes about their favorite characters and strategies. The removal also underscores the evolving nature of the Apple Arcade platform itself. Since its launch in 2019, Apple Arcade has curated a rotating library of exclusive titles, some of which have enjoyed long lifespans while others have been cycled out to make room for new experiences. This dynamic approach helps keep the subscription service fresh, but it also means that not every game will remain available indefinitely.
In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will disappear from Apple Arcade on August 20 and will become completely unplayable after September 3. Konami has thanked its community for the support over the years and has placed the game among several other titles that are slated for retirement in the near future.
Players are encouraged to enjoy the remaining days of access, capture any final moments they wish to keep, and look forward to upcoming releases that will fill the gap left by departing games.